100% customisable travel idea
Cape Town, the coast and the Big Five South Africa with the kids, and without malaria
South Africa - Cape Town - Hermanus - Garden Route - Lalibela Private Reserve
100% customisable travel idea
South Africa - Cape Town - Hermanus - Garden Route - Lalibela Private Reserve
100% customisable for you
Arrival at the end of the day. Private transfer and stay for four nights in the historic centre. You will push open the wooden doors and, as if by magic, you’ll find yourself cut off from the hustle and bustle of Kloof Street thanks to a delightful, unkempt garden. In the 19th century, this white house was a farm. It has something strangely familiar about it as the French owners have decorated it in the light, bright tones characteristic of Provence. It is cheerful, playful, beautifully detailed and comfortable for body and mind. And it is totally on-trend. Your family cottage gives you space. It retains an underlying rustic simplicity, but the furnishings are not lacking in discreet sophistication. The bedding invites you to laze around, while the bathroom encourages you to relax. It will be a joy to return to your nest among the pomegranate trees after long days of exploration. An exquisite breakfast allows you to recharge your batteries with organic food. Your other meals will draw on Cape Town’s considerable resources in this area.
On your itinerary - Cape Town like a local. There’s no better way to start your trip than with a day in the company of a French woman who lives in Cape Town. She will decipher the codes and reveal the secrets of the city. She trained as an architect, is sensitive to local creativity and brings her professional perspective, which is essential for understanding the city, its organisation and its old buildings, but also for showing its modernity. On your itinerary for this improvised tour, which is tailored to your tastes, is a meeting with artists or designers, a surprise stroll through the city, or even a welcome break on one of its beaches to share a little slice of life and chat about everyday life in South Africa. Along the way, you’ll gather a wealth of information for future solo explorations and the rest of your trip.
Pick up your rental car. You have two full days to explore Cape Town and its surroundings at your leisure, both in the city and in the countryside. Nestled at the tip of the continent, at the foot of a spectacular promontory, South Africa’s mother city faces the ocean in total relaxation. Of course, the country’s second city also has its business centre, but the briefcase is quickly replaced by the beach bag. It must be said that the first white sandy coves are barely ten minutes from the city centre. Cape Town is cosmopolitan and international, gentle and ultra-dynamic, seductive and so easy to live in with the family.
Take the fast route to Hermanus along the wild coast. Once past Cape Bay, the pale mountains of Somerset West (Hottentots-Holland range) come into view. The vineyards and apple orchards form ochre and jade patches in the distance.
Upon arrival in Hermanus, stay for two nights a little way out of town, on the edge of the lagoon. Behind the dunes, Walker Bay glistens; the mountains seem to watch over this little world from afar. That’s the setting. You settle into your own house facing the lagoon, with lots of windows, tasteful decor and cosy comfort. If you want to socialise a little, head to the clubhouse, which has a relaxed restaurant and bar, piano and a games room that will delight the kids. Swimming pool, kayaking, paddleboarding, fat biking: there’s something for everyone and every adventure, and the region lends itself to this.
There are many activities available, both within the hotel grounds and in the surrounding area. The Hermanus region is one of those magical places where vast beaches give way to mountains and rocks. It is a natural playground famous primarily for its stars of the southern winter: whales. They are visible from the mainland and they pass along the coast every year on their way to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. It’s a spectacle that fascinates all ages. And what a pleasure it is to return to the comfort of your private home for a nap or at the end of the day.
Continue along the south coast to the famous Garden Route. From Mossel Bay, a succession of beaches, dunes, mountain ranges and dense forests pass by the window, punctuated by national parks and nature reserves, lakes and lagoons. Three-night stay on the outskirts of Knysna. The location is splendid, with the ocean, lagoon and mountains as a backdrop and fynbos (southern scrubland) as the surrounding environment. The lodge’s architecture is transparent and light thanks to its large floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, with each opening onto its own landscape. The communal areas are very welcoming, making them the perfect place to relax with a drink, reflect on the day and make plans for the next. The restaurant serves contemporary South African cuisine. The garden features a large swimming pool and a fireplace. From the hotel, you can enjoy all kinds of activities: fynbos hiking, off-road vehicle excursions, paragliding, kayaking, mountain biking, beach trips or botanical walks.
The southern spring turns the coastal region into a veritable carpet of flowers. And, in all seasons, farmers and nature parks maintain exceptional landscapes. You can explore the region by car. You can hike in the parks. A section of the Otter Trail, along the Tsitsikamma coastline, is sure to thrill you. A beautiful white sandy beach and lagoons are the main attractions of Wilderness. In the small seaside resorts of Mossel Bay (Bartolomeu Dias Museum, Shell Museum), Knysna (primary forest) and Plettenberg (dolphins, southern right whales, fur seals, etc.), you can enjoy the sea air. And eat seafood.
Continuing eastwards, you will soon reach Port Elizabeth, which marks the end of the Garden Route. From there, it is only a few hours’ drive to the bush for an authentic safari experience. Stay for two nights in the Lalibela private reserve, not far from Addo Park. The lodge’s thatched-roof “chalets” are scattered throughout the vegetation. There is a communal lounge, boma, small swimming pools and dining room - meals are usually eaten outdoors (South African and international cuisine). Each room has a terrace. A waterhole below the lodge, in the dense forest of the valley, attracts animals. Elephants in particular but also a herd of nyalas.
In the reserve, the days are punctuated by two daily safaris - one early in the morning and one at the end of the day, so you can avoid going out during the hottest hours and discover life in the savannah at two different times. Elephants lead the way, and you can see the Big Five. The rangers are unrivalled when it comes to tracking animals in the reserve. The vehicles are specially equipped for observation and photography. Of course, the wildlife is not limited to the iconic species. Cheetahs, hippos, Cape elands and wildebeest are also notable. In the evening, you may spot some of the more elusive creatures, such as the bat-eared fox, with its funny ball-shaped ears, the aardvark, a very comical anteater, the black-backed jackal or the aardwolf. As for birds, the bacbakiri gladiator and the red-breasted sunbird, for example, are dazzling; the Cape tchagra, highlighted with red ochre, is more discreet, and the fiscal flycatcher is black and white. Between safaris, relax on the perched terrace or splash around in the pool, surrounded by the murmur of the bush. Once night falls, you have a date with the stars...
Return journey to Port Elizabeth, return of rental car and international return flight. Night spent on the plane, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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